The Torbay Express with E3150, 50017, 34094 and 7827 - May 24th 2024

Engineering works on the Midland Main Line led to a last minute change with Railway Timelines Limited's 'Torbay Express' railtour. Originally planned to start from Bedford, it was quickly changed to start from the RTL base at Bletchley instead. Class 86 No. E3150 'Robert A. Riddles' was employed to take the train south down the West Coast Main Line to London Euston, to allow Class 50 No. 50017 'Royal Oak' to proceed south west as planned. West Country No. 34094 'Mortehoe' took over at Taunton, and handed the train to Ex-GWR Manor No. 7827 'Lydham Manor' at Paignton for the run to Kingswear and back, with Class 37 No. D6975 added to the rear to assist with shunting at Kingswear. Steam, diesel and electric all on one tour!
Our first shot is of the impromptu electric leg of the tour, as E3150 speeds south through Cheddington towards London. We then see 50017 on the Berks and Hants line, first passing Thatcham at speed towards Newbury, then accelerating from a signal check at Bedwyn from a Newbury - Bedwyn stopper. The pace had recovered by Crofton Pumping Station and was steady until Taunton, seen passing Fairwood Junction west of Westbury. On to Whiteball Tunnel, where 34094 is seen powering up the 1:80 gradient after taking over the train at Taunton, minus its Support Coach, which would follow separately behind 50017 to ease the load over the gradients. The Bulleid cruises along the coast at Starcross and Dawlish in fine form, before strolling up the brief 1:110 climb from Newton Abbot towards Torre Station. After handing over to 7827 at Paignton, the Manor is seen lifting its heavy train, equivalent to over Load 12, out of Goodrington Sands on the Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway. On the return, 50017 was added to the sharp end behind 34094, to save time running round at Taunton. With more than Load 13 on the drawbar, 34094 is seen charging through Torre Station on the brutal climb out of Paignton. And our final view is of the train curving away from Teignmouth and onto the sea wall in the evening sunshine.
0:05 - E3150 Cheddington
0:24 - 50017 Thatcham
0:39 - 50017 Bedwyn
1:01 - 50017 Crofton
1:37 - 50017 Fairwood Junction
2:00 - 34094 Whiteball
2:25 - 34094 Starcross
2:57 - 34094 Dawlish
3:40 - 34094 Riviera Way
4:11 - 7827 Goodrington Sands
5:23 - 34094 + 50017 Torre Station
6:03 - 34094 + 50017 Teignmouth
Thumbnail - 34094 coasting through Dawlish Warren towards Langstone Rock.
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This was recorded in Train Simulator in May 2024 using the Xbox Game Bar and edited in July 2024 using Microsoft Clipchamp.